It started on Christmas eve and by yesterday, a series of attacks by gunmen on communities in two local government areas of Plateau State have left no fewer than 115 citizens dead, hundreds injured and 221 houses razed.
Confirming the death toll, a tearful Governor Caleb Mutfwang said the massacre was unprovoked and tasked security agents to unravel the sponsors of the “carnage” and their blood-thirsty foot-soldiers.
Other accounts said no fewer than 140 persons were killed during the attacks.
Narrating, narrating the unfortunate event, the blood-curling simultaneous attacks by assailants on over 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs of the state on Christmas eve, Mutfwang lamented: “Just when we had finished preparations for Christmas, unprovoked attacks were unleashed on our communities.”
Several houses were set ablaze by the attackers on Sunday night. The gun-wielding and blood-curling men also looted farm produce and destroyed property as they butchered the residents.
“As I am talking to you, in Mangu Local Government alone, we buried 15 people. As of this morning, in Bokkos, we are counting over 100 corpses. Not to talk of that of Barkin-Ladi.”
The governor said the attacks were “unprecedented and monumental,” noting that though the assailants intended to break the spirit of the people and pull down the two councils, the spirit of the people on the Plateau remain unfazed.
Mutfwang, however, said the response time by security agents, especially the men of the Nigerian Army could be better.
The governor also said the attacks are connected to land disputes between aboriginal dwellers and marauding terrorists.
He warned that the people attacked could defend themselves, noting that it might get to a time that the people may not be able to restrain themselves from defending themselves and their lands against the assailants.
Expressing sympathy for the affected families and communities, Governor Mutfwang urged citizens to stand strong, assuring them that “the government is actively working to address the situation.”
Now taking you further on the story, Mutfwang emphasized the government’s commitment by covering the medical expenses of those injured and receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, and other hospitals in the state.
Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, in a statement by her Chief Press Sec called on citizens to “prioritise peace and harmonious living at all times for the good of the state,” and called on security agencies to “expedite action towards bringing the culprits to book and averting a similar situation in the future.”
Mutfwang and Piyo spoke as President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies to fish out the culprits with the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Northern Governors Forum, NGF, Northern senators, Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Baptist Convention, and Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, condemning the killings and tasking government on decisive action.
Now Specifically, the MBF said that the Federal Government is unwilling to end the recurring killings in the region, warning that Middle-Beltans are being left with no option but to resort to self-help.
MBF National President, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, in a statement, said: “Section 14(b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stipulates that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.